David Scoggin brings regional talent to 'Pan's Meadow'

Thursday, Feb. 21 — Keyboard player David Scoggin worked on and off on his new CD, "Pan's Meadow," for three years before the project was complete and ready to listen to on New Year's Day.

By Mandy Valencia

Keyboard player David Scoggin worked on and off on his new CD, "Pan's Meadow," for three years before the project was complete and ready to listen to on New Year's Day.

A music professor at Southern Oregon University, Scoggin employed many musicians living in Ashland, along with one or two from Nashville, Tenn., and Phoenix, Ariz., respectively, to play on the album's tracks — a collection of jazz instrumentals composed mostly by himself.

He engineered, produced, wrote scores for some 16 musicians and recorded "Pan's Meadow" in his music studio in Ashland's Briscoe ArtWing.

"The studio has 18-foot ceilings with fantastic acoustics," Scoggin says.

Scoggin and some of the featured musicians — including guitarist Jeff Pevar — will play tunes from the new release and also jam at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Briscoe ArtWing, 265 N. Main St. Guests should use the Laurel Street entrance.

"Pan's Meadow" is filled with straight-ahead jazz featuring world influences that range from Latin and Middle Eastern and, of course, fusion.

"I don't think in terms of the styles of music as much as I do in terms of poignant melodies, dense, modern harmony, rhythmic grooves that feel good and interesting orchestrations," Scoggin says.

With the contrasting genres of each of the tracks, Scoggin chose different musicians for specific tracks. Five drummers make appearances on the CD, including Jack Burton (who played with Lyle Lovett) of Nashville; Tim Downs of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Teri Cote, Theresa McCoy and Dave McClure.

Also making appearances are Pevar, saxophonist Michael Vannice, trumpet player Randy Scherer, flutists Lori Calhoun and Tessa Brinckman, bassist J. Jorgensen, Terry Longshore on tabla, Gabe Young on oboe and English horn, Jenifer Carstensen on French horn and Mark Jacobs on trombone.

"Michael Vannice is the chief soloist on tenor and soprano sax ... besides me on keys," Scoggin says. "He's the most respected jazz musician in the valley. He's a musician's musician."

Scoggin listed the rich roster of featured players in the liner notes on his CD.

"The only guitar on the album is Jeff Pevar," Scoggin says.

Due to a full schedule of teaching, performing and helping other musicians record, Scoggin rarely worked on his own album. He often helps high-school seniors record their audition tracks for college music programs.

"I've learned a lot about recording and mixing, and I've stayed on top of whatever new music software comes out," Scoggin says.

For the Feb. 21 show, look for Scoggin on keys, Scherer on trumpet, Vannice and Steve Davidson on saxophones, Jorgensen on bass, Paul Turnipseed on guitar, Cote on drums, McCoy on percussion and Tom Mackay on vibes.